Professional Athletes Influencing High School Players

Over the past two years something that has brought in a lot of new attention in the National Football League is how players on teams have decided to kneel during the national anthem before each game to show and express each of their opinions on today’s society. What has caused these players to kneel each game is from feeling discriminated for their race and treated worse than others. The reason these choices have become a large controversy is due to many people believing the players kneeling are showing disrespect and not supporting our country and fighting soldiers. Although each side has fair points to back up their opinions a rule has not yet been set in place regarding these actions.  

A misconception that has been made towards athletes is that kneeling is directed for veterans and the flag. All players that have kneeled during the national anthem have stated it is not made to disrespect any veterans but is a violence free way of expressing an opinion. Due to different races pleading that they were being treated wrongfully just for the color of their skin. These actions of athletes have brought down a strong influence on younger athletes as well, “I have seen players even at the high school level kneeling during the national anthem and it is upsetting that they do not feel treated equally.” Says Cameron Boon.   At Central High School multiple players have been up to date in the media covering these stories and many have become interested in hearing about these events that are relevant in their lives too.  

The groups of people that have been known for carrying the strongest opinion towards standing for the national anthem are veterans who have served in war for their country. To them they see athletes and others showing disrespect towards all veterans and our country itself. In veteran’s eyes they come to the conclusion that the work they put forth for their country had no impact and did not matter. Although both sides have valid points to their actions everybody’s point to what they have done is that everyone should be treated equally while allowing their voice to be heard.  

This worldwide problem has been going on much longer than shown on television. Before high paid and popular athletes started to speak about this problem, racism and other derogatory terms that have been focused towards African Americans have been going on a lot longer but until recent nobody has realized what good can come from standing up for a problem. As the years follow many new rules are planning on being set after there is an agreement on what should be set in place. Overall what both sides do carry in common is wanting peace and equality for everybody.